IJIRST International Journal for Innovative Research in Science & Technology| Volume 3 | Issue 11 | April 2017

ISSN (online): 2349-6010

Design and Fabrication of Self-Locking Wheel

Mechanism for Manual Transmission 4 Wheeled
Automobiles Subjected to Positive Gradients
Benssin K.B Blesson Abraham
B. Tech. UG Student B. Tech. UG Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam-686532, Kerala, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam-686532, Kerala,
India India

Cyriac James Jerrin Mathew

B. Tech. UG Student B. Tech. UG Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam-686532, Kerala, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam-686532, Kerala,
India India

Visant P.V
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam-686532, Kerala, India

Abstract
In a manual gear driven four wheeled automobile which climbing a positive gradient, it is difficult for the driver to throttle the
vehicle after fully applying the brakes. This special situation involves the expertise of the driver as the full application is
dependent on the reflex action of the driver. Many people may not possess this skill. To overcome this problem, a Self-Locking
Wheel Mechanism is attached to the idle shaft to the axle. Ratchet and pawl is a mechanical device that allows continuous linear
or rotary motion in only one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction. If the vehicle approaches a positive
gradient, the gyro sensor send signal to the relay to energize the solenoid which engages the ratchet and pawl mechanism. The
driver only needs to throttle the vehicle instead of adjusting clutch, handbrake and throttle simultaneously. The mechanism is
automatic, hence when the system detects positive gradients, anti-roll back system is engaged and on reaching level roads, it
automatically goes to off position. This mechanism relieves the driver from this hectic task and making his role simpler.
Keywords: Manual transmission, Self-locking wheel mechanism, Ratchet and pawl, Arduino Uno, Gyro sensor, Positive
gradient
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

A typical problem that is encountered, in four wheeled vehicles with manual transmission, is when the drivers find themselves
stopped on a positive gradient and want to move uphill, the vehicle begins to roll in the backward direction when the brake pedal
is released.
For this, in vehicles with a manual transmission, the hand brake is typically used when starting on an incline. This procedure is
awkward at times because the vehicle immediately moves backward once the foot on the brake pedal is lifted. When performing
this procedure, the driver will normally position one foot on the clutch pedal to disengage the transmission and the other foot on
the brake pedal to hold the vehicle stationary on the incline. When it is time to continue up the incline, the hand brake is engaged
and the foot on the brake pedal is moved to the accelerator pedal to increase the engine speed at the same time the clutch pedal
begins to return to its rest position. The hand brake is then released as the accelerator pedal is pressed. It is important to carefully
coordinate the release of the hand brake while depressing the accelerator pedal and letting up the clutch pedal in order to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards or stalling the engine.
Many drivers consider this to be a very difficult manoeuvre and therefore choose to ride the clutch in an upward incline; i.e.,
the throttle is opened slightly over idle speed and the clutch pedal is engaged so that the clutch slips just enough to hold the
vehicle stationary. This driving technique results in heavy wear on the clutch disc and when used often, results in substantial
shortening of the life of the clutch disc.

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 Design and Fabrication of Self-Locking Wheel Mechanism for Manual Transmission 4 Wheeled Automobiles Subjected to Positive Gradients
(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 11/ 029)

II. WORKING

The project aims at making a simple and reliable hill hold mechanism coupled to idle shaft of a manual transmission vehicle that
will allow a driver of the vehicle to begin movement from a stop on an incline while preventing the vehicle from rolling in the
direction opposite to the intended direction of travel.
When there is a need to park the vehicle on a positive slope, the self- locking mechanism can be engaged and hence the
vehicle can be held on an incline without the need of hand brake or transmission gears.
Manual transmission heavy vehicles have a great risk of back roll on an incline. If out of control, it may lead to severe
accidents. So, the mechanism is of great importance in case of heavy vehicles.
The main disadvantage of manual transmission is the time lag for operating accelerator pedal after applying foot brakes. If not
properly carried out, there can be chances of vehicle going out of control. Many amateur drivers will be facing this problem.
Hence, self-locking wheel mechanism can ease the mental pressure of the drivers.
Also the system is cost-effective compared to the arrangements made in automatic drive system.

III. PROPOSED SYSTEM

A self-locking wheel mechanism is the solution to the problem of unwanted back roll of four wheeled automobiles in a positive
gradient. The main attraction of the system is that it automatically senses the magnitude and nature of the gradient and if it
exceeds a set value, then the mechanism gets engaged. Also, disengages when there is no chance of back roll of the vehicle.
Ratchet and pawl mechanism fitted to the idle shaft of the vehicle is the one which prevents the back roll of the vehicle on an
incline. An Arduino Uno board connected with a gyro sensor is used to measure the inclination of the road surface with the
datum. The critical slope can be programmed into the microcontroller. The signal is send to the regulator IC for amplification
and goes to the solenoid to convert electrical signal to mechanical output. (i.e., engagement and disengagement of pawl to the
ratchet wheel)
When the automobile travels on a level surface, as there is no chance of back roll, the microcontroller detects no change in the
gradient and hence ratchet and pawl mechanism will not get engaged.
When entering into a positive gradient, and if the slope exceeds the set value (which is programmed), the microcontroller send
signal to the solenoid via regulator IC to engage the pawl with the ratchet wheel and thus arresting the backward motion and
allowing only forward motion.
When entering into a negative gradient, since there is no chance of back roll, the sensor after detecting the negative slope send
no signal to the solenoid and hence, the ratchet and pawl will be in disengaged position.
Circuit:
The MPU 6050 Gyro sensor is connected to the Arduino Uno board as shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 1: Interfacing gyro sensor to Arduino Fig. 2: Circuit diagram.

Now, the program can be loaded to Arduino board by connecting it to a PC via USB cable. The signal from Arduino has to go
through a regulator IC and then to a relay for switching the solenoid. To amplify the current which is of the order of mA from
Arduino, 7805 and 7812 regulator IC is used. HE JQC3FC relay is used to switch the solenoid. The circuit is designed as shown
in Figure 2.

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 Design and Fabrication of Self-Locking Wheel Mechanism for Manual Transmission 4 Wheeled Automobiles Subjected to Positive Gradients
(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 11/ 029)

Ratchet and Pawl

A ratchet is a form of gear in which the teeth are cut for one-way operation or to transmit intermittent motion. The pawl, which
engages the ratchet teeth, is a beam member pivoted at one end, the other end being shaped to fit the ratchet tooth flank.
In the design of ratchet gearing, the teeth must be designed so that the pawl will remain in engagement under ratchet-wheel
loading. In ratchet gear systems, the pawl will either push the ratchet wheel or the ratchet wheel will push on the pawl and/or the
pawl will pull the ratchet wheel or the ratchet wheel will pull on the pawl. Figs.3 (a) and (b) shows the four variations of ratchet
and pawl action. In the figure, F indicates the origin and direction of the force and R indicates the reaction direction.

Fig. 3: (a) Variation of ratchet and pawl action (F = force; R = reaction).

Fig. 3: (b) Variation of ratchet and pawl action (F = force; R = reaction).

IV. FABRICATION OF MODEL

A ratchet is a mechanical device that allows continuous linear or rotary motion in only one direction while preventing motion in
the opposite direction. A ratchet consists of a round gear, and a pivoting, spring-loaded finger called a pawl that engages the
teeth. The teeth are uniform but asymmetrical, with each tooth having a moderate slope on one edge and a much steeper slope on
the other edge. When the teeth are moving in the unrestricted (i.e., forward) direction, the pawl easily slides up and over the
gently sloped edges of the teeth, with a spring forcing it into the depression between the teeth as it passes the tip of each tooth.
When the teeth move in the opposite (backward) direction, however, the pawl will catch against the steeply sloped edge of the
first tooth it encounters, thereby locking it against the tooth and preventing any further motion in that direction. The ratchet and
pawl mechanism is chosen for its simplicity and efficient working. The ratchet and pawl was fabricated.
Figure 4 shows the terminology of ratchet and pawl mechanism.

Fig. 4: Ratchet and pawl terminology.

The dimensions adopted for the model are:

O.D (Outside Diameter): 105mm
T (Face width): 2mm
Bore: 12 mm
Whole Depth: 5mm

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 Design and Fabrication of Self-Locking Wheel Mechanism for Manual Transmission 4 Wheeled Automobiles Subjected to Positive Gradients
(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 11/ 029)

Angle of teeth: 60 degree

Length of pawl: 100mm
C.D (Centre distance): 113mm
Based on the dimensions, the ratchet and pawl is fabricated as shown in figure 5.

Fig. 5: Fabricated Ratchet and pawl mechanism

Based on the results from application of ratchet and pawl in different mechanisms, it was found that material adopted should
be S45C. Also the tips of pawl and ratchet should be induction hardened to have superior durability.
The main components are:
Frame
Wheel rim
Solenoid
Shaft
Ratchet wheel
Pawl
Bearing
Arduino Uno
Gyro sensor
Regulator IC
Battery (12 V)
The final fabricated model is as shown in Fig.6 & Fig.7.

Fig. 6: 3-D Model. Fig. 7: Fabricated Model.

V. CONCLUSION

A modest and reliable self-locking mechanism was designed and fabricated. It was found that the mechanism do not have any
complex part so the manufacturing cost and the maintenance cost is low. The minimum slope which the system is sensitive can
be set according to the need of the driver.
By devising such a mechanism we could make driving easier and safe. It will ensure longer clutch life because this mechanism
prevents clutch burnout in case of operating clutch and accelerator simultaneously by unskilled drivers in an uphill. It also
ensures long life of other transmission elements and brakes.
As the mechanism is simple this could be assembled into existing design provided it is properly designed.

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 Design and Fabrication of Self-Locking Wheel Mechanism for Manual Transmission 4 Wheeled Automobiles Subjected to Positive Gradients
(IJIRST/ Volume 3 / Issue 11/ 029)

Further analysis can be conducted to make the design more reliable. The attachment of speed sensor to the microcontroller can
lively record the speed of the automobile in a positive gradient and if exceeds a cut-off speed, then the mechanism can be
disengaged, as there is no chance of back roll. Also, gutter and hump detection mechanisms can be coupled to the existing
system for accurate engagement and disengagement of ratchet and pawl mechanism.

REFERENCES
[1] Hisanori Yanagida, Saitama (JP); Shoji IchikaWa, Saitama (JP); Ryoji Mori, Saitama (JP);Vehicle hill start system, Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.,
Tokyo (JP), United States Patent No: US 8,649,948 B2
[2] Abram McConnell Bradely IV, Hill start assist system,Assignee: Volvo Group North America, Inc., Greensboro NC (US), United States Patent No: US
8,078,378 B2
[3] Alvin H Berger, Vehicle transmission hill holder,Assignee: Ford Motor Company, United States Patent No: US5,474,164
[4] Hyo Tae Kim, Control method for hill start assist control system,Assignee:Hyundai Motor Company,United States Patent No:US 9550478 B2
[5] Donald A Warner, Hill holding brake control system,Assignee:Warner Donald A,United States Patent No:US5452946A

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